epic heroes
...Jara, Aeneas strongly believes in the bond among family, (Aeneas was the son of the goddess Aphrodite and the mortal Anchises who was a cousin of King Priam of Troy. Aeneas was raised first by nymphs and then by his father. During the Trojan War, Aeneas fought as an ally of Troy. Then, when Troy was burned, Aeneas set out with his aged father (on his shoulders), the household gods (penates), and Ascanius, his son (who would later be called Iulus). Aeneas traveled to Thrace, Carthage, where he met Queen Dido, and the Underworld, before settling down in Latium (in Italy). There he married the king's daughter, Lavinia. Their son Silvius, became the king of Alba Longa. Along with Romulus, Aeneas is considered one of the founders of Rome). This quote is extremely relevant to the topic at hand because it better emphasizes the positive characteristics of an epic hero. This was the point that was aimed to be made apparent to the reader. From a totally different standpoint, the epic hero that seems to be portrayed, in most of the information found, as not necessarily a negative being, but more aggressive and rude, per say, is Gilgamesh. Gigalmesh was indeed a legendary epic hero, however he seemed to go about fulfilling his duties or pleasing the Gods in a totally different manner than that of Son-Jara and that of Aeneas, (The narrative opens with a complaint of the people of Erech that Gilgamesh has taken away their sons and daughters and they appeal to the goddess Aruru to create a man who may be "equal to taking up the fight against him). This quote explains to the reader that unlike the epic heroes Son-Jara and Aeneas, Gilgamesh was some what heartless and completed his duties by any means necessary, whether he disappointed others in the process was far from his concern. For the most part Gilgamesh seems to be portrayed as the opposite in personality of Son-Jara and Aeneas, however, he does have some of their positive traits, (He is a deified hero. As a hero, he is primarily associated with the South Babylonian city Uruk (modern Warka), which he conquers; as a god, he is a solar deity who is introduced in incantations and hymns. Gilgamesh is a hero of irresistible strength). With this being understood it is obvious for one to see that Gilgamesh is too portrayed as a God and has strengths, just as Son-Jara and Aeneas. The final epic hero that Son-Jara can be compared to is Achilles. Achilles has some of each personality embedded in his character. At times he is shown as being a tad aggressive, (... a dozen brave sons of the proud Trojans he hacked to pieces with his bronze... Achilles' mighty heart was erupting now with slaughter -- he loosed the iron rage of fire to consume them all). He is also shown as being calm and he has a positive outlook as far as being obedient to the Gods goes, (he had no personal reason for going to Troy, other than to fulfill his destiny and prove his honor. He indulged in acts of human sacrifice, which were against the normal practic...